Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Four Simple Rules for Having a Luncheon Club

That means that I not only get to play with dishes for real live people...

which is fun for me,

but I also have to cook for said people...

which is not.

Need I remind you that I'm a C+ cook at best? Sir Lotsa Hair didn't marry me for my culinary skill, folks. He married me for the witty repartee. That's why I'm busy; I'm auditioning recipes. I really like the ladies in my luncheon club and don't want to poison or nauseate them.

And so, rather than try to dazzle you with that aforementioned repartee, I thought I would drag a portion of the original post about our luncheon club out of the echo chamber.

Just in case you're wondering why a C+ cook

would form a luncheon club to begin with...

You see...

Years ago, the husband and I joined three other couples to form a dinner club. It was budget friendly fun for a group of couples trying to grow families. Once a month, we met at one home while our children shared babysitters at another one. Our husbands played along as the wives planned dinners by theme and divided up the meal preparation among us.

It was great fun.

Then our friends moved away and life got busier. There isn’t always time for dinner clubs in the carpooling years you know...

But here I am, perched on the edge of that empty nest and in the need of a new adventure. Fortunately, several of my friends feel the same way. We tried to get the husbands on board, but not all of them were willing. Well, of course…

So we ditched the party poopers and formed a luncheon clubinstead. We think that will be more fun anyway. We can be full out girly without navigating through a mine field of snickering testosterone.

We’re I'm just goofy enough to make up rules.

They are pretty simple, but here they are:

1. Luncheons are No Capri Zones. This means we can't default to the go-to uniform of a south Georgia soccer mom. Requested dress is a skirt or casual dress.

2. Please come to the front door. Back door friends might be best, but not at luncheon club.

3. This is a luncheon and not a tour of homes. Don’t meander off the common path unless invited. This allows the hostess to focus on the luncheon and not that other stuff that women are prone to stress over… you know what I mean…

4. Plan to stay, and have fun.

So there you have it. In the two years since we've been lunching together, we have had everything from formal luncheons to garden parties. At Christmas we do a progressive nibbling from house to house.

I think the key to the success of it, though, is the lunching ladies themselves. We picked a mix of friends who aren't at all about impressing one another; we're about enjoying and encouraging one another.

And that playing with dishes part is kind of fun too.

Obviously, I won't be sharing with the porch people this week, but I do hope to have pictures of our latest adventure by the weekend and a (hopefully) computer to post them, too.

42 comments:

No, I have never been part of a luncheon or dinner club. And yes, I would like to join one...

...YOURS!!

This sounds like such a fun event. The closest I've ever come to something like this is my sister's annual tea party. It's a chance to get all dressed up and fancy. You're right, it is a treat to be girly sometimes!

My book club is fun. But we don't eat.

Maybe someday I'll have to start a luncheon club myself. However, though I might soar on the decorating part of it (I can be creative in a pinch) - I might want to alert the local ER that there are incoming patients if I decide to cook. Your C+ would be my strong D-.

Could you just set one more place for this envious invisible person? I promise no one will even know I'm there...

Never part of a luncheon club ... but I do remember the "fad" of progressive dinners in the late '70's. You know the kind ... cocktails at one home, appetizers at another, main meal at a 3rd and dessert at a 4th. Was great when everyone lived on base (ie: short distances) ... not so much fun when you had just a few minutes between courses and had to drive across town.

AND the ones hosting did not provide any of the food/drink. Just a clean house. I liked that part the best. We never hosted. : )

Good morning! I LOVE this idea. How I would love to join your group! We were part of what was called supper 6 YEARS ago. It was lots of fun. Our kids were young (didn't even have Mel) Everyone kind of got their own babysitters and we traded houses and met once a month. Whoever hosted got to set the rules....haha...formal, not formal, kids, no kids, theme, no theme, etc. We were part of that group for 3 years before we moved away. I loved it. Have often thought it would be fun to start up with empty nesters. You may have inspired me. Have a good time at yours!

The thing I like the best is the group you've selected, friends who are not there to impress or be impressed. That makes the whole thing FUN! Of course now that I've sait that, I remember a traveling supper club from years ago and the group in our church was like this group, even so, when it came to MY turn... I wanted it all just right!! :) I haven't made that menu since, but it was delicous that night, and I think the table was even set pretty well, but not like yours!

Can't wait to hear what you serve and pics of the whole thing. I am up for the 'club' part, but we all seem to pick a restaurant these days and meet there. Still... I love your idea.

Nope, I've never been in a lunch or supper club, but I've always thought it would be fun! Our church started several multi-generational Hearthsiders groups in January to do the same sort of thing, but previous commitments kept us from participating. Maybe next time.

Enjoy your lunch! BTW, I think you should still join the porch people. This is definitely tablescape-related and a great idea to share! I certainly think the porch hostess would give it the stamp of approval. Think about it...

I've never been in a lunch or supper club but have ALWAYS wanted to. Yours sounds great because I was in a Bunco group for a while that was ALL ABOUT impressing one another. I'm so over that; so much better just to be yourself.

I think rules are a good idea. Rule Number 3 is my favorite; it made me laugh out loud. Have a great time this week, and we'll hope to see pictures soon. :)

I love what you are doing with your luncheon club and I love the rules that go along with it. I think it becomes so easy to just stay at home and become a recluse of sorts. This idea pushes those of us who are a little too content with home to go out a be more sociable and do it wearing something besides sweats.

I would love to be in your luncheon club because I would bet there is a lot of laughing, which leads to gut laughing, which leads to snorting, going on with you around.

Debbie, this post just made my heart kinda sing and ache at the same time. How I would love to belong to a luncheon or dinner club. What fun! Unfortunately, The Man has never been a social butterfly and I would never, ever get him onboard for the couples thing. And as for the luncheon thing, well, I don't have many friends in this area who don't work in the daytime and would have to rush off back to work, which is not my idea of a fun afternoon. Houston is such a big, sprawled out place, and I do have a few non-working friends in the suburbs, but they're 30 miles away, so that's an issue, as well. But I can keep dreaming that one day I will be able to pull something like this off. In the meantime, have a blast, girlfriend. I'm sure your cooking will be just perfectly fine.

How fun! I think that this is wonderful idea! I have never had a luncheon club but I think it is a great idea!

I may have to start one of these myself. I love your rules too. Especially, the one about enjoying each other and not trying to out-do the next person when they have the luncheon at their house. Did you say that? Here in Calif. that would need to be a rule.

No I have not but would love it! I agree though it has to be the right mix of gals, most importantly those who are willing to commit to making it happen. I love that you have this group and couldn't help but chuckle at your rules. LOL! The no capri's rule would have elimated half the people I know. haha! I would stress over the food thing too, so the rule about not wandering around the house unless invited would be a life saver. I totally get that one! Enjoy your day and I hope all goes well!

Oh, a luncheon club sounds like so much fun. Love your rules. When I was first married and my husband was in the Air Force, I went to the officer's wives luncheon and loved it. I really miss those days. Hugs and keep enjoying your luncheon club.Babs

What fun!!! I've never been involved in a supper club or luncheon club. It sounds like great fun though. I especially like the rule about the guests staying where the food is and not meandering through the rest of the house.

I'll bet there is more fun had around that table than you could shake a stick at!! LOVE your rules, Debbie, especially that last one. We have dinner groups through our church that last six months a whirl. We are several down the line now and have always had a wonderful time and have gotten to know each other much better than the "hellos" on Sunday mornings. ENJOY your luncheon; I know I'd love to be sharing that table with you. blessings ~ tanna

Since I'm one of the lucky luncheon club friends, I can attest to the fact that it's LOTS of fun! I look forward to it weeks ahead of time. It is a little stressful when you're the hostess but mostly because you want to make your friends happy. I also know that you're better than a C+ cook. Can't wait until Friday!!

PS You probably should have mentioned that several members are teachers which is why we can do this on a weekday during their school breaks.

That does sound awesome, except I only have another friend who would actually like to entertain and be a part of this club LOL. I think we will stick to bunco, however I love the idea, and your table is so pretty.

You are SO funny!!! I love the idea of a luncheon club! I have 2 friends with whom I share lunch on a rotating basis at our homes. My turn is this Saturday, the day after yours. These are friends I've had since grade school, so it's not about impressing them. They DO, however, expect a beautifully set table and a lot of food. They don't care WHAT food, just so long as it's food...and LOTS of it! :-) They don't drink, so I have a glass or two of wine (yes, for breakfast!) while I'm preparing for their arrival. It's always fun and chatty and testosterone-free! :-)

No, no luncheon club. Lots of dinner parties with the same people over the last 30 years. No rules, they think I am crazy as I like to do the table up. They are minimalists.I am sure whatever you do will be wonderful, your tables are always so well thought out!

Debbie, I love the idea and the rules. My garden club serves lunch once a month. A different lady hosts each month so we usually host about every two years. Boy do they need rules. Some are in their late 80s so rules don't work so good. Our bunco group serves coffee, dessert and fruit. They are a great bunch of ladies.No impressing with either group but a lot of truly elegant hostesses and great cooks. They are not trying to impress, they are just great.You could be my daughter. You are about the age of my first daughter. I may have asked before but with my sometimers acting up I am not sure. Where do you live in Georgia or are you living as a foreigner?Blessings, Ginger

What beautiful tablescapes & how FUN to sit down with like-minded adult women!! Girlfriends are the BEST!

I belonged to a dinner group when I was single & I took my DH to one of the gatherings for our second date. He was impressed & thought I could cook. Little did he know, they always let me bring the rolls...store-bought ones! LOL

I would just LOVE to be able to join you & your friends & listen to your witty repartee in real life.

How I would LOVE to be part of your luncheon club. I could totally manage the dressier appearance - and I'd even cheat on m y gluten free diet to eat the innovative menus I'm sure you all take pains to serve. I fear a month's salary would have to go into upgrades on table settings - but I'd manage that. What I would NOT manage, though - is the food preparation on my end. I could look the part, but if you think you're C+ then meet me with a decided C-.

I have a handful of things I do well - then - can you spell "caterer"?

Actually - I'm hosting monthly teatimes for my partners in my new Constellation Academy venture. We meet mid-month on Wednesdays and I set out a nice casual tea for luncheon while we work.

Speaking of tea . . . something of an herbal variety has my name on it about now - hope Della feels better!

Great idea, so nice that you have friends to take turns doing this. My age group doesn't want to go to a lot of trouble, and prefer to eat out for lunch :-(

I haven't been in a lunch/dinner club, but did start a teaparty group several years ago, we did it for about two years. I had a few rules too - mainly that no one wore jeans! It's amazing how many want to do that (all ages!) Hats were optional, but most wouldn't wear them. One Easter it was a hat party with hats a must. One person wore a baseball hat. Funny? She thought so.

Love those peeks at the tablescapes, were those yours? Very pretty.

Sorry to be late with replying, we have been out-of-town (babysitting a precious 5-year-old grandson in SC!!)

Yakking all about myself...

Seriously talkative Christian mom who is blessed enough to be married to her favorite friend. We have two nearly grown daughters, one practical--and one whimsical. Together, they have filled our home with the perfect balance of practical whimsy.